DISQUS

I've noticed this as well. Through my limited exposure to people in other countries (mostly through IRC), I'm continually surprised not at the fact that there are differences, but at the specific differences that exist. Cultural differences seem far more interesting (and on a completely different level) than I would have ever assumed.

I agree with GFS3. In early elementary school, myself and my (albeit somewhat nerdy) friends were very into reading. That desire to read dropped dramatically as more and more "boring" - huge quotes back there - books were forced down our throats (or.. eyes?).

Wikipedia is possibly my favorite website. I'm absolutely in love with what I perceive as a union of the encyclopedia and the blog.

But I have to be careful: if I look something up, I will undoubtedly end up casually reading related articles for hours. Come to think of it.. Wikipedia really reminds me of the feeling of the early web, when every website belonged to a ring and there was a links page on every site.. You could totally lose yourself in an endless stream of semi-related content.

I will have to take a look at this book. I think there is much to learn when people of varying beliefs can put aside some of their defensiveness and preconceptions and openly discuss a subject; regardless of how valid the book's points turn out to be, this sort of thing sounds like it will open more people up to the discussion.. Which is always a good thing.